Welcome to The Plymouth Press Online

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

7/16/23

Well, this has certainly been quite a week.  The harsh sound of pounding rain and huge rocks crunching together as small creeks became raging rivers on Monday was certainly reminiscent of tropical storm Irene.  As was the case in the past, neighbors were quick to respond.  Anyone with equipment brought it out to unclog streams and rebuild roads and driveways. I appreciate Lauren’s willingness to post resources quickly as I learned of them.  It seemed more helpful to put them out immediately as they filtered in, rather than waiting for a complete list.  If you missed some, look at back at this week’s posts.  The Plymouth Press online is listed on the town website or you can simply go to plymouthpress@me.com.

I understand the fire Marshall was in town and that fire dept personnel was out scanning our area, making note of issues and offering assistance.  On a sad note, I heard that the former Tyson Store building been condemned.  

We are attempting to pull together a plan to get free water testing kits to folks and make it easy to have the samples submitted in a timely fashion.  Apparently 2 different ones are recommended – one for E-Coli and the other for nitrates.  More to follow.

In the meantime, hoping everyone is making progress on removing water and sludge so that mold does not become an issue.  Most roads are open, but travel is rather hazardous on some, so for the timbering it is best to avoid unnecessary travel in certain areas.

More resources will be noted as information is received.  There is help – physical, financial, emotional.  Please avail yourselves of services and consider offering some if you are able.  Peace, Margo

Photo & rock found by Susan Mordecai, Plymouth resident

Photo is being turned into a Greeting Card and will soon be sold at local Farmers Markets. Proceeds will go to The Plymouth Memory Tree, Black River Good Neighbor & The Ottauquechee Health Foundation. $5 per card, to order contact: Smordecai6@gmail.com

We are very sad to say the park was damaged to the same level of Irene, if not worse and will be closed at least until August 14th. At this time we are asking people find other places to walk their dogs or picnic. The park is covered in sediment and almost all roads are gone. Heavy equipment will be staging in the limited parking that is left. All access roads to the park have been damaged.

This is very disappointing to everyone. Please help pass the word to people who may not know the extent of the park’s damage and are planning to come. Check for updates on the parks webpage here: https://vtstateparks.com/plymouth.html

This video shows the current conditions of the park:
https://youtu.be/0ZZnU1EGTsI

This park is our home and a gathering place for so many in the community. There is so much to be grateful for and the park will be repaired – it will just take time with the extensive damage. Thank you again for your love and care of Camp Plymouth State Park.

Dear Okemo Valley Businesses,

We have heard that there is a tremendous need for mobile storage units. A new chamber member & local Vermont company, Abanaki Containers, is now offering discounts for this service. Contact Christina at 802-483-9900. New units will be at Okemo Mountain where items can be stored. Or there is a 50% discounted fee to relocate the units to your business (now only $100 there & $100 back). The cost is also only $100 per month.

Hope this information is helpful!

Carol Lighthall

Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce

clighthall@yourplaceinvermont.com

http://www.yourplaceinvermont.com

If folks are in need of some volunteer labor on July 15th or beyond, please email BRAT Director Kelly Stettner at blackrivercleanup@gmail.com; if the need is urgent, please text her at (802) 591-0101 with specific information such as your name, the nature of the need/type of work, and location.

Shoveling, raking, moving, carrying, etc. Volunteers will not be working in or near the water at this time.

Town of Plymouth, Vermont Select Board – Regular Meeting Monday, July 17, 2023 @ 6:00 PM Community Center Meeting Room Agenda
Topic: Plymouth Select Board Meeting
Time: July 17, 2023 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

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1. Call to Order and Introduction of Those Present:
2. Consideration of Any Changes, Additions or Removals to Agenda:
3. Approve Meeting Minutes:
   a. June 19, 2023 – Regular Meeting
4. Discuss and Approve adding Town Clerk as authorized signer to Citizens Bank & M&T Bank Accts:
5. Highway Report:
6. Review and Possibly Approve RFP for Billings Bridge #40 Project:
7. Short-Term Rental Discussion, if People Have Questions:
   8. Vermont Bond Bank – Grant Approval:
8. Town Clerk & Treasurer Updates:
   a. Land Records Online
   b. Direct debit forms to set-up automatic payment of real estate taxes
   c. Agenda Email – if you want to receive the Select Board Agendas provide Town Clerk with your
   email address.
   d. Tax bills will be going out in the next few weeks.
9. Mail and Warrants:
10. Other Business:
11. Possible Executive Session:
12. Adjourn:

Water may not be safe to use for drinking, cooking or cleaning after a flood. During and after flooding, private water systems (wells or springs) can become contaminated with microorganisms — such as bacteria, sewage, heating oil, agricultural or industrial waste, chemicals, and other substances that can cause serious illness. Community members should assume their water is contaminated if floodwater has reached their well or spring.

However, free drinking water test kits are available. Call 802-338-4724 to order free drinking water test kits to find out if a well or spring was impacted by floodwater.

You can find more post-flood drinking water guidance on this page: https://www.healthvermont.gov/environment/drinking-water/after-flood-drinking-water-guidance

Additional information on how to stay safe when returning to a home or business after flooding is on the Health Department’s website and is being updated regularly: HealthVermont.gov/Flood

Vermont Department of Health

Environmental Health Division, Town Health Officer Program

802-863-7220

AHS.VDHTHO@vermont.gov

The Plymouth Memory Tree is here for all Plymouth residents affected by the flooding. We are accepting applications for recovery assistance, including to repair damaged homes, driveways, wells, septic systems or support the replacement of lost vehicles. Please find our application at the Plymouth Town Office or online here (link to the pdf)

Please see resources below, and remember now is the time to remain safe. The water is still moving quickly, and it has debris (metals, glass, waste, etc).

Resources:

1. ANR Flood resource: https://anr.vermont.gov/flood
2. State of Vermont Flood Resources: https://www.vermont.gov/
3. Volunteer: Register at Vermont.gov/volunteer and you will be contacted as volunteer opportunities are coordinated through the State of Vermont.
4. VT Language Justice Project:  The following resource for non-English speakers to access flood safety information. ASL videos coming soon. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0uaGz81U–7XiSGftCBdoSMS29hPv3il
5. Roads: For a list of state road closures visit https://newengland511.org/. 
6. Forecasts: Vermonters can track river forecasts and levels athttps://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=btv.
7. Alerts: Residents are encouraged to register for a Vermont Alert account at www.vtalert.govto receive up to the minute safety warnings.

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

Waking up on Tuesday morning it was nice to see the sun. The devastation, not so nice. Yet, even during the rain, neighbors were calling and checking on each other, expressing concern and offering assistance. Some places were relatively unscathed, but others suffered severe destruction. Those below the bridge on Dublin Rd were hard hit. Perhaps at a later time, their stories will be told. Anyone with equipment and two hands rushed to restore the bridge and help clean up the Echo Lake Inn, the church, plus the flooded homes. A spirit of cooperative prevailed and the bridge is passable with caution. Hopefully gawkers will not see that as an invitation to drive through, however. Please heed this plea.

Our pristine Camp Plymouth State Park flooded from several directions and renters in the cottages needed to be evacuated. Traveling north on Rte 100 toward the Union today, water is still running across the road in a couple of places, with crews hard at work. Many driveways have disappeared and even more basements have been flooded.

Some people may find it demoralizing, but just like after “Irene”, folks are pulling together and compassionately meeting needs. I don’t have a list of resources yet, but hopefully can pull one together with help. In the meantime, praying the forecasted rain will not cause any additional damage. Holding all of you in my heart.